H-1B1 Visa

For Non-Immigrant Workers from Singapore & Chile.

Important Travel Document Information – Please Read

The United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement, both of which went into force on January 1, 2004, produced a new non-immigrant work visa for Singaporeans and Chileans: the H1B1 visa.

As main candidates, only Singaporean and Chilean residents are eligible.

Chileans – 1,400 H1B1 visas available
Singaporean 5,400 H1B1 visas available

What is a H1B1 Visa?

The H1B1 visa is similar to the H-1B visa in that it permits qualified professionals to reside and work in the United States for a limited period of time. The aim of the foreign citizen to visit the United States is the key distinction between the two sorts of visas. The H-1B visa category allows for “dual purpose” immigration, in which a foreign citizen comes to work in a professional capacity while simultaneously seeking to move to the United States.

Applying For A H1B1 Visa

Unlike the H-1B visa, there is no necessity for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to approve a Petition for Non-immigrant Worker. By submitting the appropriate non-immigrant visa application, a detailed employment offer letter, a Labor Condition Application (LCA) certified by the Department of Labor, and the relevant supporting documents, the candidate can apply for an H1B1 visa directly at the US Consulate in his or her home country.

Employers may find it advantageous to consider submitting H1B1 applications for suitable individuals due to the restricted supply of H-1B visas. The filing of H1B1 visa applications does not restrict Chilean and Singaporean individuals from filing standard H-1B visa petitions.

H1B1 Visa Application Process

There are various phases in the H-1B1 process:

After deciding to sponsor you for an H-1B1 visa, your employer must get a Prevailing Wage determination, either via the DOL iCERT system or an independent survey.

The employer must submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) to the Department of Labor in the United States.

Once the LCA has been authorized by the Department of Labor and returned to you, the employer may provide you with the supporting papers, and you can apply for your visa at the US embassy. The following items are usually required

Job offer letter, which includes a job description, projected hiring dates, and compensation
Proof that the salary provided is the going rate
Proof that the employer can pay the salary promised
A letter in support of the application outlining the job being offered and the qualifications of the beneficiary
Proof that the foreign national has maintained their status while in the United States, such as copies of their passports, I-94s, and other current and past immigration
Academic and professional credentials
Names and addresses of any relevant affiliates, subsidiaries, parent businesses, branches, and abroad offices, as well as other information. To qualify for a Blanket peti

Requirements for Singaporeans

Singaporean H-1B1 visa criteria:

Singaporeans only.
The US employment must be a “specialty vocation,” requiring the application of specialist expertise. Specialty positions include engineering, math, physical sciences, computer sciences, medical and health care, education, biotechnology, and management and human resources.
You must have a four-year post-secondary degree in your profession (although there are some exceptions to this requirement). Even without a postsecondary degree, you may qualify with similar job experience.
You cant be self-employed.
Temporary work in the US requires non-immigrant intent.

Requirements for Chileans

Chilean H-1B1 visa criteria:

Chileans alone.
The US employment must be a “specialty vocation,” requiring the application of specialist expertise. Specialty positions include engineering, math, physical sciences, computer sciences, medical and health care, education, biotechnology, and management and human resources.
You must have a four-year post-secondary degree in your profession (although there are some exceptions to this requirement). Even without a postsecondary degree, you may qualify with similar job experience.
You cant be self-employed.
Temporary U.S. employment requires non-immigrant intent.

USA Visa Types

Processing time for H-1B1 Visas

The length of time required to wait at each consulate is different. In most cases, the visa will be granted the day following the meeting you had scheduled with the US Consulate (though the actual procedure may vary by Consulate). The approval process for USCIS petitions for extensions of stay or changes to immigration status typically takes between four and five months.

For detailed information on specific parts of the USA visa process, you can refer to the links to the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.

Other USA Visa Types

A Visa is required for any foreign national wishing to enter the United States. It could be a non-immigrant visa for a short period of time or an immigrant visa for a long period of time. To enter the United States, Indians must get a non-immigrant visa.

A Visa, Government Officials	B1 Visa, Visitor Visa	B2 Visa, Visitor Visa
BCC Visa, Mexican Border Crossing Card	C Visa, Transit in the U.S	D Visa, Aircraft Crew
ESTA Visa Waiver	E-1 Visa, Treaty Traders	E-2 Visa, Treaty Investors
E-3 Visa, Australian Professional	F-1 Visa, Academic Students	F-2 Visa, Dependents of F-1
G-1 Visa, Official Duties	H-1B1 Visa, Singaporean FTA Professionals	H-1B Temporary Work Visa
H-2B Seasonal Employment Visa	NATO1-6 Visas, Military personnel	O-1 Visa For Extraordinary Talent

Why can only Chileans and Singaporeans apply?

The H-1B1 is exclusively accessible to Chileans and Singaporeans according to treaties. On September 3, 2003, the US negotiated Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Singapore and Chile, both of which enabled a new non-immigrant work visa for Singaporean and Chilean citizens: the H1B1 visa.